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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
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Evaluating the Differentiation Capacity of Mouse Prostate Epithelial Cells Using Organoid Culture
Published on: November 22, 2019
Neuroendocrine differentiation in stage D2 prostate cancers
Naoto Kamiya1, Hiroyoshi Suzuki, Koji Kawamura
1Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
Summary
Chromogranin A (CgA) shows a significant correlation with its serum levels and predicts prognosis in advanced prostate cancer. Neuro-specific enolase (NSE) did not show a similar correlation, indicating CgA is a more reliable marker.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biomarker Research
- Prostate Cancer Research
Background:
- Neuroendocrine differentiation in prostate cancer is increasingly recognized.
- Chromogranin A (CgA) and neuro-specific enolase (NSE) are potential biomarkers for neuroendocrine tumors.
- Elevated CgA and NSE levels have been linked to neuroendocrine prostate cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between immunohistochemical (IHC) findings and serum levels of CgA and NSE.
- To assess the prognostic value of CgA and NSE in untreated stage D(2) prostate cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry for CgA and NSE was performed on 58 patients.
- Pretreatment serum CgA and NSE levels were measured in 18 patients.
- Correlation analysis was conducted between IHC findings, serum levels, clinicopathological parameters, and prognosis.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant correlation was found between CgA positivity and serum CgA levels (P=0.0421).
- No significant correlation was observed between NSE positivity and serum NSE levels (P>0.05).
- Strong CgA positivity (alone or combined with NSE) was associated with significantly poorer cause-specific survival (P=0.0379) and identified as an independent risk factor for death (P=0.0142).
Conclusions:
- CgA demonstrates a stronger relationship between serum levels and IHC positivity compared to NSE.
- CgA may serve as a clinically useful tumor marker for predicting the extent of neuroendocrine differentiation in prostate cancer.
- Neuroendocrine differentiation is a significant prognostic factor in stage D(2) prostate cancer.
